The announcement of a new rule for the 98th Oscars, which mandates that Academy members view all nominated films in a category prior to casting their votes, has generated significant discussion online. Social media users are questioning, "How was it done previously?" while many are humorously critiquing the former standards.

Oscar's new rule sparks amusement

Some individuals find the situation entertaining, while others express confusion, and a handful remain doubtful regarding the feasibility of this new regulation. Nevertheless, it has ignited a vibrant conversation surrounding the voting procedures of the Oscars.

One commenter remarked, “Weren't they doing that previously?”, while another noted, “This clarifies why films such as The Color Purple, What’s Love Got to Do With It, and Malcolm X were overlooked. Were these voters not engaging with black cinema?”

A social media user expressed, “How will they ensure accountability?”, while another suggested, “Perhaps they should administer a quiz on the film prior to allowing a vote or something similar.”

One individual questioned, “Were they merely voting based on feelings?”, and another remarked, “I suppose they were relying on IMDb ratings, haha.”

“Does this mean the Oscars were also fraudulent?” inquired one user. Another comment stated, “As I read through these new Oscar regulations, I find myself somewhat perplexed. It seems that requiring voters to view the nominated films is a practice that should have been established long ago. My question is, why not mandate that voting members watch all films submitted for consideration? Wouldn't this be the most effective way to ensure that the ten best films are nominated each year?”

One user commented, “I don’t get it... what were their votes based on previously? I recall a tweet mentioning that someone didn’t vote for Ralph because they believed he had already won an Oscar or something similar,” while another added, “This isn’t practical, though. Watching every film nominated for the Oscars in 2023 would have required someone to dedicate 75 consecutive days, and that’s without any breaks.”

New rules set by the Academy for Oscars 2026

According to Variety, the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences has announced a rule change for the 98th Oscars. The members must now confirm they’ve watched all nominated films in a category to be eligible to vote in the final round. This rule mirrors a process already used by BAFTA. It aims to encourage more informed and responsible voting across the board. While it’s surprising this wasn’t already a formal requirement, question remain about how the Academy plans to verify compliance and enforce the rule. Additionally, all nominees in each category will now appear on the final ballot.

The nominations voting period will run from January 12 through January 16. Official nominees will be announced on January 22, followed by the annual Oscar Nominees Luncheon on February 10. The updated rules also include expanded eligibility for international filmmakers and new submission deadlines across several categories. The Oscars are set to take place on March 15, 2026.

Read Also: Janhvi Kapoor Gives Sidharth Malhotra a Fun Scooty Ride – BTS Pics Inside!

Get the latest Bollywood entertainment news, trending celebrity news, latest celebrity news, new movie reviews, latest entertainment news, latest Bollywood news, and Bollywood celebrity fashion & style updates!